Fluid-pressure regulator



Dec 23, 1924.

H. J. LOCKHART FLUID PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed Feb. 2, 1923 Patented Dee. 23,

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

HAROLD- J. LOCKHART, OF PARKERSBURG, KERSBURG RIG & REEL COJIPANY, OF

PORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

To all '207mm it Be it known that a citizen ot the United States,

Parkersburg, in the WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR 'IO THE PAR- FARKEBSBUBG, WEST VIRGINIA, A COR- FLUD-PRESSURE REGULATOR.

Application led. February 2, 1923.

, HAROLD J. LooKHAizr, residing at county of llVood and have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fluid- Pressure Regulators, ing is a specification.

of which the ollow- This invention relates to fluid pressure regulators, and more particularly to attachments for tanks used in storing volatile liquids, such as crude petroleum oils, gasoline, and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide an attachment tor gastight storage tanks by means of which escape of vapors and gases will be prevented until a predetermined pressure is reached and which will then permit escape ci' said gases and vapors. A further obiect is to provide a pressure regulator ot simple tively :tew parts.

A further obj ect is construction and relato provide a regulator employing a liquid seal in which the same liquid as that stored iii the tank may be used.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown one embodiment oit the invention. In

this showing:

Figure l is a side elevation of the pressure regulator arranged within a tank,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof, and

Figure 3 is a horiz ontal sectional view on line 3-3 ot Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral l designates of an oil tank. Thi desired construction,

a portion of the deck s tank may be ot any but the invention is bestapplied to a metal tank which is gastight or substantially the regulator consists pluralit i of openings shown, this plate is over an opening in is secured thereto by means of gas-tight. As shown, of a plate 2, having a 3 adjacent its edge. As

adapted to be arranged the deck of the tank and bolts or rivets 4, passing through the openings 3. A receptacle or container 5 is arranged beneath the plate 2, and is secured thereto in any suitable manner.

The vertical wall of this receptacle is provided with a plurality of openings 6, spaced shown. A skirt 7 i receptacle and space The bottom 8 of the from the bottom as s arranged within the d from its outer wall. skirt terminates above Serial No. 616,631.

the bottom ot the receptacle, forming a pair of compartments or chambers coinmuiiicating with each other at the bottoni. The skirt is provided with two horizontal rows ot perf members are provided with alined openings adapted to be disposed beneath an outlet member 13. The outlet member is secured in position by means ot the bolts 12, and a gasket 14, or other suitable packing, may be disposed between the top of the regulator and the outlet member, as shown. The outlet member or dome is provided with a lid or cover 15, mounted on a suitable hinge 16. A bolt 17 extends downwardly from the lid and is adapted to support a tire screen 18, arranged over the outlet opening.

The regulator is provided with an overiiow pipe 19, having a T 20 at its upper end. The top of the overflow pipe is in alinement with the bottom of the openings 6 in the outer shell. A flange 2l is bolted to the bottom ot the outer shell and a liquid-prooiu connection is obtained by means of a gasket 22. This flange is threaded to receive the lower end of the over-How pipe which passes through an opening in the shell. A liquid seal pipe 23 extends downwardly from the flange beneath the level of oil in the tank.

The operation ot the device will be apparent from the foregoing description. The working pressure or' gas and vapor in the tank is transmitted to the top of the body of liquid between the shells 5 and 7, the gases entering the regulator through the openings 6. As the pressure increases, the liquid is `forced downwardly until the gases are permitted to escape through the openings 10 and then through the outlet 13. Further increase iii pressure causes the liquid between the shells to be forced further down, permitting the gases to escape through the openings S) and iinally permitting the gases to pass under the bottom 8 of the inner shell. The liquid flows through the overow pipe into the tank.

By regulating the depth of ythe outer shell beneath the openings 6 and the position ot the pertorations 9 and 10, the gage may be constructed to permit any desired pressure to exist in the teak. eed permit escape Qi gases when the pressure exceeds the desired limit. It is necessary to provide means for escape ot' gases and vapors in oil tanks to minimize the chances of explosions. I have found, however, that a tank which is substantially gas-tight and provided with some means such as the present regulator to permit escape of gases when an undesirable pressure is reached, reduces losses through evaporation of the lighter constituents to a minimum.

It is to be understood thatthe form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example ot the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoincd claims. Y

Having thus described my invention, l claim:

l. A pressure regulator comprising an outer shell adapted to be arranged in a tank, said shell being provided with openings spaced from the bottom, an inner shell extending trom the top of the outer shell to a point near the bottom, said regulator being provided with an outlet opening within said inner shell, and an overflow pipe communieating with the interior of said regulator at a point spaced from the bottom thereof.

2. In a pressure regulator', a substantially cylindrical member having a closed top, said member being provided with openings spaced from the bottom, an inner shell arranged in said'member and spaced from the bottom thereof, said inner shell being provided with a plurality of `rows ot openings arranged on a level below the openings in said lirst member, the top of said member being provided with an outlet opening, and an overflow pipe communicating with the interior of said member.

3. In a device or' the character described, a substantially cylindrical member having an outlet opening in its top, an overflow pipe extending through the bo-ttom of said member, said member' being provided with a plurality or openings spaced from the bottom, and an inner shell arrangedy in said member and spaced from the bottom to form a liquid seal, said inner'shell being provided with openings arranged beneath the openings in said cylindrical member.V

4.. In a device of the character described, a substantially cylindrical member adapted to be ar anged within a tank and communicate wi th the interior of the tank, said member being provided with an outlet opening l in its top, an overflow pipe extending through the bottom of said member to a point substantially level with the point of communication with the tank, said Ymember being adapted to receive a body of liquid, normally arranged below said overflow pipe. and an inner member arranged therein, said inner member being spaced from the bottom and being beneath the top of the overflow pipe.

In testimony whereof, I atlix my signature iu presence of two witnesses.

HAROLD J. Looniianr.

lVitnesses H. B. SATTERFIELD, e M. O. MrTor-IEL.

provided with openings disposed A 

